Cheap Weight Loss Surgery

With weight loss surgeries costing anywhere from £3,000 to upwards of £20,000 it is understandable for patients to look for, or be drawn to, cheap weight loss surgery deals. However, as with most things in life, if it seems too good to be true it more than likely will be.

What Is Included In The Price?

Your clinic should explain to you exactly what is included in the price quoted to you in terms of the procedure, aftercare, recovery support and follow-up appointments. Many clinics offer a price fully inclusive of all of these services, however some do charge extra depending on the level of care you need following your procedure. Some also put a limit on the number of times you can be seen following your procedure before being charged, or on the length of time for which you are covered under your initial price quotation.

It is therefore very important that you are fully aware of what is included in the price you are given before agreeing to go ahead with the procedure.

Questions To Ask Your Doctor About Pricing

When discussing finance, make sure you find out exactly what is included, such as:

Are aftercare, recovery support and follow ups included in the price?

Is there a time limit for the included aftercare?

Is there a limit to the number of times you can be seen within the price you have been quoted?

Suitable for Weight Loss Surgery? Click your age below to find out!

Finding A 'Good Deal' On Weight Loss Surgery

There are many great resources available to compare prices and results for different weight loss surgery providers. In addition you will also be able to find a finance package that suits you, whether it be interest-free or buy now pay later. By using the comparison tool at the top of this page you will be able to compare procedure prices from providers in your local area to make sure you are finding the best deal for your weight loss surgery procedure.

Finance Packages Available For Weight Loss Surgery

There are many different finance packages available for weight loss surgery, which vary depending on the clinic you choose and your personal circumstances. Some examples of finance packages include:

Finance

Many clinics give you the option of paying monthly for your procedure with most offering 0% APR. This interest-free deal means you only pay back the cost of the procedure, whereas others charge interest in order for you to spread the cost. An example of the difference interest makes to your payment is shown below:

It is important to fully understand the finance packages offered by your clinic, as it is often the case that lower repayments over a longer period of time actually result in you paying more.

£4000 at 0% APR over 2 years = £166.67/month - Total Repaid = £4000

£4000 at 9% APR over 2 years = £196.67/month - Total Repaid = £4720

£4000 at 9% APR over 4 years = £113.33/month - Total Repaid = £5440

Buy Now Pay Later

Some providers offer a "buy now pay later option", where you don’t begin making payments for a fixed amount of time, usually 12 months. After this initial payment free period you can then either pay the amount owed in full, or begin a monthly payment arrangement. In this situation, most clinics will charge interest should you choose to begin a monthly payment plan.

Eligibility For Weight Loss Surgery On The NHS

Under certain circumstances, individuals may qualify to have bariatric surgery on the NHS.

This is the case when the surgery is required to treat those who have become obese to the point where it is now dangerous to their health. If someone has become morbidly obese and is now facing life-threatening complications and health issues as a result, they may qualify to have weight loss surgery on the NHS. This surgery is only offered when other non-surgical weight loss efforts have proved ineffective.

Individuals may qualify if they have a BMI of 40 or higher, or in some cases, a BMI of 35 or higher if this is accompanied by other serious health conditions that would be treated with surgery. Examples of these conditions include high blood pressure or type 2 diabetes. Doctors will encourage diet and exercise to stimulate weight loss before resorting to surgery, as there are a number of risks involved with undergoing bariatric surgery. However, it can be the case that diet and exercise alone are not enough, or that individuals are physically unable to exercise due to health complications. If a patient undergoes weight loss surgery on the NHS, their medical team will work with them to encourage exercise once they have recovered, and to introduce a calorie-controlled diet to enhance the results and ensure the weight loss is permanent.

As is the case with any surgery, the operation is only available on the NHS for health reasons. If a patient wishes to undergo weight loss surgery for cosmetic reasons, this will need to be done privately through a clinic. If you are unsure of whether you could be a suitable candidate to have this procedure carried out on the NHS, make an appointment to have a discussion with your GP.

What Next?

We'll help you find affordable weight loss clinics

Getting Ready For Surgery

In order to prepare for weight loss surgery, you will need to meet with a team of medical professionals that specialise in this area, and undergo a number of pre-screening tests and pre-operative assessments to confirm you are a suitable candidate.

This team of professionals is known as a multidisciplinary team (MDT), and normally consists of the surgeon, a gastroenterologist, a specialist weight loss nurse, a psychologist, a dietitian, an anaesthetist and any other medical professionals whose expertise may be required when getting you ready for surgery. You may have to undergo a series of physical, psychological, and nutritional assessments to see if you are a suitable candidate for weight loss surgery. During your assessments, you may undergo a number of tests (such as blood tests, x-rays and an electrocardiograph (ECG), tests to check for mental health conditions or emotional disorders that could complicate your surgery, and an assessment of your current eating habits.

If you are found to be a suitable candidate, you will work alongside the MDT to prepare for your procedure. Preparation may include following a calorie-controlled diet, and possibly even the fitting of a gastric balloon. Losing weight prior to your weight loss surgery can substantially lower the risk of complications, and can also enable you to qualify for laparoscopic or “keyhole” surgery where you may not otherwise.

What Can I Expect At My Consultation?

Video Transcript

"I think one of the most difficult things of any patient who is considering weight loss surgery is to actually make the first inquiry or the first phone call, which is why often it’s via an anonymous medium like the internet.

Hopefully when they come and see us we make them as welcome as possible, we try and put them at their ease. We walk them through, having taken a medical history, what the various options are whether we’re talking about balloon placement, laparoscopic gastric banding,sleeve gastrectomy, gastric bypass, either Roux-en-Y or mini gastric bypass, or even a malabsorptive procedure, the more risky end of the scale in terms of surgical solutions such as duodenal switch or biliary pancreatic diversion.

We try and guide people towards the best solution for them in terms of overall risk, and also in terms of their overall medical history, as well."

Recovery

Generally speaking, patients who have undergone weight loss surgery can enjoy a short recovery period, with most being able to return to work and resume everyday activities within four to six weeks of having the procedure.

Following weight loss surgery, you may feel tired and sore from the anaesthetic and the procedure, which is normal. If you are experiencing a lot of discomfort, you may be prescribed medication to assist with the pain. During the recovery period, some complications can occur. If you have had a gastric band operation, you could experience deep vein thrombosis, which is a blood clot that develops in one of the legs, or a clot developing inside the lungs, known as a pulmonary embolism. If there are no complications, recovery is straightforward, with most patients able to return home from hospital within 24 hours to recuperate at home. Following a gastric bypass, patients may wake with a drip through which to receive fluids, and a urinary catheter. Once well enough to move around, these tubes will be removed, and patients will be kept in for observation. It is common for patients to be prescribed blood-thinning medication during the recovery phase to prevent the likelihood of clots, too.

Results

Bariatric surgery normally results in accelerated weight loss, and when coupled with adjustments to lifestyle and diet, it can lead to improved self-esteem and confidence.

Weight loss surgery can also help with the management of related illnesses such as type 2 diabetes, high blood pressure, gastro-oesophageal reflux disease (GORD), and sleep apnoea. Having been fitted with a gastric band, individuals can expect to lose half of their excess body weight within two years of undergoing the procedure. This roughly breaks down to 35% of excess weight being lost within the first six months, with a further 5% lost in the next six months, and 10% over the course of the second year. Gastric bypass surgery provides even more drastic results, with individuals expected to lose 70% of their excess body weight over the two-year period following the surgery. The vast majority of this weight loss occurs within the first 12 months, during which patients can expect to lose 60% of their excess weight. The remaining 10% will be lost over the following year.

Your MDT will prescribe you with a patient lifestyle plan, and sticking to this will greatly increase the chances of successful, long-term weight loss.